Simon Cowell pays someone to mentor his X Factor acts, a former contestant has claimed.

Lucie Jones, who was voted off in the fifth week of this year's series, told the News of the World that Cowell is too busy to look after his contestants.

Instead, his Syco Music colleague Tim Byrne is reportedly in charge of his hopefuls' song choices and rehearsals.

Jones added that the reason Cowell argued with contestant Jamie Archer is because he had not been there during the week.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

"Simon has a man who helps him with the acts during the week, then it gets to Friday and he'll see his acts and often not really like it," Jones explained. "Jamie would find it difficult because Simon would change his song on the Friday and he'd be like, 'You haven't even been here'."

Meanwhile, a source said: "It's part of the show to make it look like the judges are hands-on with their acts. But the amount of time they spend with them varies. Simon's the least involved.

"He's the busiest, of course he has help. Tim and Simon are very close and he trusts his judgement."

Simon Cowell has one act left in the competition, Olly Murs, who will fight Joe McElderry for the X Factor title tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1.